IMPORTANT NOTE REGARDING CHING CO (FROM THE PHILIPPINES) AND RAS ROBINSON (FORT WORTH, TX)

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Note by Steve Shultz, Publisher, THE ELIJAH LIST:

As I travel to different conferences, people often come up and say, "I love the Elijah List. And do you know who my favorite writer for the ELIJAH LIST is?" "Don't tell me," I interrupt. Let me guess. "Ching Co, right?" "How did you know that?" "Because it happens wherever I go." I tell them.

So, for new readers, I thought I would whet your appetite. Ching's words are always seasoned with GRACE, even if sometimes they challenge us deeply.

Also: Ras Robinson is a true father in the spirit. He has encouraged not only this ministry but others I know of as well. He publishes a daily "What the Lord is saying Today" email. Check out his website.

-- Steve Shultz

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PREPARING FOR THE COMING WINTER

By Ching Co Ching's email: ching@gsilink.com Sunday, December 09, 2001 2:21 AM

In the past weeks, various pictures, impressions and stories from the Bible kept coming back to my mind. Using all these, the Holy Spirit began weaving a spiritual landscape which I felt is a reflection of a spiritual season that is coming upon us.

As I share these with you today, please test them and allow the Lord to speak to your hearts.

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THREE VISIONS FROM THE LORD

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The first vision that came to me was the picture of a forest blanketed in white color (meaning winter). The trees were bare and snow flakes were falling all around. In the midst of this landscape, I saw a hand stripping away the bark of every tree in that forest.

The second vision was the picture of a camel walking through a very narrow door. The camel had to kneel down and squeeze itself through that passageway.

The third vision was that of a person standing on a rug-- and suddenly the rug was pulled away from under his feet. I saw a surprise expression on his face, he staggered a little but did not fall.

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INTERPRETATIONS

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As I watched and waited for interpretation to these visions. The Holy Spirit began adding the story of Abraham's parting ways with Lot and how he offered Lot first choice in selecting the land to settle in (Genesis 13:8- 11).

This was followed by the story of Abraham offering Isaac at the altar (Genesis 22:1-11). After that, the scene of the fire from heaven consuming the sacrifice prepared by Elijah during his confrontation with the Baal priests on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18:38) was brought back to my mind one after the other.

Following everything, I heard these words impressed in my spirit. "A new day is coming upon my people. And I'm releasing a new wineskin. Everything related to the old will be stripped away and burned." (Matthew 9:16-17)

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WHAT DOES ALL THESE MEAN?

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The winter landscape represents a season of decrease, of loss, of seeming barrenness.

The stripping of the bark of the trees meant two things. First, the Lord exposing weakness or areas in our lives or in our ministries that need correction. It also refers to someone or something that is close to us.

The camel passing through the narrow door represents that the process will not be easy, but hard.

The rug pulled out from under the man's feet reflects a suddenness at which events will dawn upon us.

All these are a warning for us to prepare for a time ahead which will be marked by difficulty, and it further implies that unpleasant events will come upon us suddenly and in ways that we will not expect.

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FROM A HUMAN PERSPECTIVE

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When viewed from a purely human perspective, it will initially seem like death and disaster has descended upon us whether physical or spiritual. We will see decrease, experience loss, and taste isolation.

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WHAT WILL BE AFFECTED

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The area that will be affected will be very significant and important to us. It will be our Isaac-- something or someone that is very close to our hearts.

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GOD'S GRACE RELEASED

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In the midst of these trying times, those who are affected by it will find their hearts sovereignly covered by the Lord--especially against feelings of "fear and regret". Yes, there will be a season of mourning, wondering and even questioning. But God will sovereignly shower His grace upon us and feelings of great RELEASE will begin to flood the hearts and minds of His people.

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A TIME TO TRUST AND TO HONOR OTHERS

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The path that each will take may be different but the lessons will be the same.

The first lesson will be a stretching of our TRUST in the goodness of our God. Like Job, many of us will cry out" The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." (Job 1:21-22)

Just as Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. So too will we stand strong when we enter the winter season that will come upon us.

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HONORING OTHERS ABOVE OURSELVES

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Secondly, we are encouraged to put into action HONORING others above ourselves. Just like the generosity that Abraham extended to Lot on many instances by giving him first choice and even helping him when he was attacked-- So too, the Lord is challenging us in the coming days to act in the same manner towards people, not just those who support us, but even those who persecute or hurt or disappoint us-- To bless them with our prayers and even our resources. To honor them before others even before ourselves. To be willing to give them first share of any blessing or inheritance which we feel rightfully belongs to us.

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NEW WINESKINS

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The new wineskin that God is preparing to release to His people is symbolic of a very great anointing--- so powerful and mighty, and one that is purely from Him. This will be made available to those who hold nothing back from Him.

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DEATH TO SOME VISIONS, RESURRECTION FOR OTHERS

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After this season is over, some of us will receive back the visions and dreams which we thought had died--while others will find themselves receiving a new one which will be totally different from what they have surrendered to the Lord.

What God will give to us will be the best. It will be complete and we will find ourselves planted in the middle of it suddenly . We will not need to labor as we have in the past.

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TAKE HEART, GOD IS AT WORK IN OUR MIDST

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If this is a race, we are entering the last laps of the run. Yes, many of us at this point are physically weary. We bore many scars and have sacrificed everything we hold dear to qualify for this race. WE WILL NOT FAIL-- FOR GOD HAS CALLED US INTO THIS RACE.

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PRAYER FOR MORE GRACE

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"Father, we all sense in our hearts that we are coming to the end of our human ability. We have given our all to the call that You've assigned to each of us. We ask You today to accept our offering, flawed as it may be and blow Your breath upon it. Let Your heavenly fire purify each of the offerings that we lay before You. Thank You for giving us Your grace not just to endure but more importantly to rejoice in the midst of our suffering and pain. For we know that You are with us and that You have a purpose for this season. We look forward to receiving the new wineskin which You have prepared for us. Fill us now with more of You. In Christ's Name we ask these favors. Amen!"

Blessings in Him,

Sis. Ching Co Cebu City Philippines

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WHAT THE LORD IS SAYING TODAY To Build Up, Encourage, Comfort and Offer Counsel

A Word through Ras Robinson Sunday, December 09, 2001 4:54 AM Email: fullness@airmail.net www.fullnessonline.org

December 9, 2001. Continue to acquire friends. In the days ahead you will need all the friends you can maintain. I am preparing your friends that you already have. I am also now preparing others whom I will be bringing to you to be your friend. Friends are special for so many reasons. You are not to be lonely in this time of crisis worldwide. In dark days you need friends. I want to teach you about being a friend and what it really means in terms of building my kingdom. The time of the lone and soaring eagle is to come to an end. I am speaking to many now about team ministry. I want that to be friend ministry. This message I have been sending for some time but only now are ears beginning to hear. Hear well because you will need all of this revelation.

Friends are those with whom you can share face to face without covering up. You share the deepest secrets of your heart with friends. Friends will always love and never abandon you. You can go to a friend in a time of need and never be turned away. Likewise you do not turn away a friend in time of need.

Continue to acquire friends.

Exodus 33:11 “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses returned to the camp, his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.�

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times…�

Proverbs 18:24 “…But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.�

Luke 11:5-8 “And He said to them, "Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves; [6] for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; [7] and from inside he shall answer and say, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' [8] "I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will get up and give him as much as he needs.�

Ras and Bev Robinson, Pastors Fullness in Christ Church Fullness in Christ Ministries P. O. Box 136117 Fort Worth, TX 76136 Information on Fullness in Christ Church: www.fullnessonline.org/fcc.htm

Email: rasrobinson@fullnessonline.org Phone: 817-236-7025, FAX 817-236-2807